First we heard that lead was appearing in toys manufactured in China. Unfortunately, the news about lead appearing in lipstick, which is digested by those who wear it, didn’t make the headlines. And it took some online investigation skills to get the real story.

As many are learning about the physical affects of certain foods that have been exposed to pesticides, pulling them towards organic foods, many would be horrified to know how many toxins exist in the make-up and skincare products we use every day that are all absorbed into our bodies through the skin. This was the central topic of our book review of “Not Just Another Pretty Face,” which spotlights the need for us to know the reality behind all those big words listed on the ingredients list of our lipsticks, foundations, skin cleansers and lotions.

To make things easy for ya, you need look no further than a well-known, trusted name in the skincare game: Origins.

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Portland, OR-based company Pacifica was started by co-founders Brook Harvey and Billy Taylor, offering phthalate-free candles and body products. In 2007, Pacifica became carbon neutral by reducing carbon pollution wherever possible, planting trees to counteract unavoidable emissions. They also use soy, which is a clean-burning substance, and embrace the 4 R’s as much as possible: reduce, reuse, recycle, and re-evaluate.

Try Pacifica’s newest fragrance, Malibu Lemon Blossom ($8.95), which comes as a solid in a chic, convenient, travel-sized tin and smells of summertime and citrus. They also have a heavenly selection of Spray Perfumes in scents like exotic Sandalwood ($19.95), as well as creamy Body Butters in light, clean scents like Tahitian Gardenia ($15.95). To complete the setup, try their Natural Soaps, which are vegan and biodegradable, in pretty scents like Waikiki Pikake ($6.95).

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Even though they already use organic and all-natural ingredients, the company is currently going through the process of having all these ingredients certified as organic—a long, tedious, and very expensive process, but one that they feel is worth the time and effort to prove the quality of their products. A process, that personally, I am extremely grateful for!

The company’s website also has a page that offers a list of the top ten synthetic ingredients to avoid…an extremely handy reference for reading your own labels and tossing out potentially harmful products (which is what I will be doing upon completion of this article): www.aubreyorganics.com/about/treat_10synth.cfm. MORE

The Dr. Hauschka skin care line was developed in 1967 by Dr. Rudolph Hauschka, an Austrian-born chemist, who became involved in the Anthroposophy movement in the 1920’s. Anthroposophy, you will (or perhaps won’t) remember from my previous Weleda article, is a Greek word meaning “human wisdom,” that supports a spiritually scientific approach to improving the human condition.

In this case, Hauschka’s anthroposophist approach was to integrate pure plants, minerals, and botanicals into skin care products. Hauschka’s method was inspired by the rhythms of life and nature. In the same way that a lizard can re-generate its tail, a tree can heal a damaged limb, or a snail can re-grow its shell, so too can the human skin regenerate and heal itself.

According to the company’s website, “[Dr. Hauschka] saw the power of nature's rhythms on all living things and realized that life itself was in constant rhythmic flux. He envisioned a way to use nature's rhythms to transfer the vital life forces of plants to substances he could use as healing medicines without the use of alcohol or artificial preservatives. This ‘rhythmical process’ became the basis for his healing remedies and later for Dr. Hauschka Skin Care. MORE

Weleda is a Swiss-based company that was founded in 1921, whose products are all free of any synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colors and parabens. The word “Weleda” itself refers to Celtic wise women that were healers and taught their followers to better understand nature.

The company was inspired by the concept of Anthroposophy, a Greek word that means “human wisdom,” and essentially teaches the concept that our minds, bodies, and spirits are connected to the world around us. This philosophy is what inspired the Weleda brand to integrate the power of naturally healing plants and botanicals into a natural, healthy line of skin and hair care products.

While many brand names are embracing environmentally conscious business practices, Weleda has its own unique manner of ensuing that their products are organic and fair trade. Weleda owns and operates the world’s largest Biodynamic gardens all over the world. According to the company’s website, the biodynamic process is as follows: “As in organic agriculture, Biodynamic® cultivation enriches the soil and yields plants that have not been burdened with synthetic/chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Biodynamic cultivation, however, goes even a step further than organic, using biodynamic fertilizer preparations to further support the earth and the crops. Natural sprays, comprised of homeopathic preparations of silica and manure, as well as compost preparations from herbs such as Chamomile, Dandelion, Nettle and Yarrow, bring abundant life to the soil and support the cultivation of Weleda's delicate ingredients. MORE

The Rosebud Perfume Company was founded by Dr. George F. Smith in 1895 in Woodsboro, Maryland. Smith had originally been a teacher, but changed career paths and became a druggist in 1902. After friends and family members requested a salve for minor skin irritations, Smith concocted a “Balsam of Rosebuds,” which eventually became the famed Smith’s Rosebud Salve.

After advertising in tabloids, Smith found himself running a bona-fide mail-order business for his rose salve, which has continued to be successful into the next century.

While one would imagine that a company with such a long history would have a much more fact-laden history, the truth is that the company has enjoyed uncomplicated success by offering effective, simple products.

To this day, the company has a small catalog that consists of only five (wonderful) products: the original Rosebud Salve is wonderful for minor skin irritations, diaper rash, chapped lips, and dry skin.

The Strawberry Lip Balm is wonderful for chapped lips and dry cuticles, and the smell is heaven. It reminds me of being a wee lass growing up in the mint and corn fields of Idaho, getting skinned knees and dirt in the skirt. Don’t ask me why the smell of strawberries makes me think of these things, but it does, and I love it! MORE

Alba was founded in 1989 under the parent company of Avalon Natural Products. Avalon has created their product lines (Alba Botanica, Unpetroleum, and Avalon Organics) based on what they call the “Five Elements of Consciousness.”

The first element is purity and safety. Alba Botanica products contain no parabens, chemical preservatives that increase a product’s shelf life, which can be found in most commercially available lotions, creams, conditioners, shampoos, and even baby lotion.

According to searchforthecause.org, an organization that investigates how exposures in our daily lives increase the risk of cancer, states the health issues with parabens, including methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, “May alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risks for certain types of cancer, impaired fertility, or alteration of the development of a fetus or young child. May cause skin irritation, rash or allergic skin reactions; studies have found parabens in breast tumors.”

Even though they use the word “may,” why take a chance? If someone served you up a dish at a restaurant that “may” make you sick down the road, would you eat it? I guess people do that every day with fast food. Nevermind. MORE

This week’s article finds me looking east for what can be found to the west: Japanese company DHC is a mail order operation offering wide variety of skin care products and cosmetics all made from the same fruit: the Spanish olive. Olive oil is the main ingredient in a large percentage of its products.

Olive oil helps balance the skin’s natural moisturizing systems without clogging pores, and also contains components that fight free-radicals, which are known to damage skin after being exposed to pollution, smoking and a poor diet.

DHC’s olive oil is obtained from the first crush, before the cold-processing of food-grade olive oil begins. No heat or chemical treatments are used, resulting in pure, organic olive oil rich in antioxidants and nutrients. DHC tests all their products for irritants before approval (though never on animals!), and strives to exclude any extraneous and unnecessary ingredients.

The DHC catalog is, for lack of a better word, gi-normous. In addition to cosmetics and skin care for men, women and children, DHC offers a line of supplements and fine foods, including sprouted brown rice and sauces. However, for simplicity’s sake, I will stick to the skin care section, which has tons of productions to choose from! MORE

This week finds me exploring the wonderful world of French skincare, courtesy of L`Occitane.

Now for most of you, including me, going into a L’Occitane shop always makes you feel like you know you are looking at luxury skin care goods, but if you are like me, you never really knew why, other than the clean, well-lit shelves lined with products packaged in stately European boxes. Well that’s what I am here for, folks!

This company originated in breathtaking southern France, by Olivier Baussan in 1976. Baussan was inspired by the landscape around him; and so desired to create a skin care line that reflected the beauty and natural goodness of the air and soil.

According to Baussan himself, “the sun, the products of the soil and a love of nature are the essence of my Provence. It is this essence I want to share with the world. It is what inspired me to create L'Occitane.” MORE

There are a few things you all should know about me ahead of time, in case you are wondering why on earth I would be qualified to tell you about what skincare and cosmetic products are good, great, or downright shitty.

I have been in the Denver/Boulder area for about 8 years now. After about 4 of those years, I began to develop the mysterious, yet unmistakable symptoms of eczema; a chronic and incurable skin condition that takes many forms and manifestations for many different people living in dry, high-altitude environments. I had developed small itchy bumps on my elbows, knees, and hands that I would sit and scratch for as long as I could without inflicting damage.

After several visits to a dermatologist, I learned that no one really knows what causes the problem, though stress and weather changes are definitely almost always involved. The best a dermatologist can really do is prescribe a high-potency steroid cream to relieve the itchiness, the only problem with this solution is that these creams can only be used for up to two weeks at a time, as they can ultimately cause thinning of the skin tissue. MORE

Okay beauty fans; please give a warm round of applause for the return of the Beauty Buzz section.

After a rather long hibernation period, we are ready to re-awaken the section formerly devoted to reviewing the latest and greatest beauty products. Lotions, potions, cosmetics…you name it, I will review it and tell if you if it is worthy of your attention as well as your hard-earned ducats.

This week’s featured company is tarte cosmetics, originally founded by Maureen Kelly. In addition to adorable packaging, tarte’s products are infused with natural botanicals vitamins, proving that they are not only fun to cart around ‘cause they look good, but good for you as well. One of their best products is the 24/7 Mineral Lip Sheers with SPF15. I am pretty much a chap stick whore, for lack of a better term, so I am always on the lookout for good ones that offer sun protection and perhaps a bit more. These purdy little purple tubes definitely stand and deliver. Offered in a wide variety of colors, these standard-sized tubes wipe a light, sheer stain of color while providing sun protection as well. These little babies include vitamin E, mango and cocoa butter with a hint of mint, so even your man can’t complain about some nasty, flavored goo coating your pout. The best part is that the color lasts. I prefer the “Saturday” shade, a deep, sheer red that makes me feel like Bettie Page in hot pants and is indeed perfect for a Saturday night out on the town. MORE